As recently as last week, former Indians first round picks Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer shared a lineup card and an outfield with Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall. It gave something Cleveland fans to dream on as a potential outfield as soon as 2017, maybe 2018.
While dreams of Brantley, Zimmer and Frazier invoke excitement for many, a name not to be ignored is Greg Allen.
A switch hitting, speedy outfielder, Allen was the Indians sixth round pick in 2014 out of San Diego State. He played for the late Tony Gwynn and has showed the poise and maturity of learning from a manager with a lifetime of major league accomplishments.
Allen stole 30 bases in 57 games in his pro debut with Mahoning Valley in 2014 and 46 more last year with a .367 on-base percentage. He also added some highlight reel catches to his lore.
Now in the Carolina League, the 23 year old Allen leads the league in stolen bases (16 in 17 attempts) and is third in on-base percentage (.468). Some wonder if Allen’s age and not being in AA is benefiting his performance. The experience of the Carolina League should dispel that notion. The eight team league gives many players their first test against the same teams frequently, allowing teams and scouts to get reports on players quick and use them often. His response to this will be key in determining his true development and if Zimmer or Frazier receive a bump to Columbus, he could be the beneficiary. He’s battling Mike Papi as the top outfield prospect on the Hillcats at the moment, as Papi is also off to a tremendous start.
The .248/.325 line vs. left handed pitchers as a right handed hitter doesn’t look as good as his .280/.380 clip as a left handed hitter last year in Lake County. That’s another area to continue watching for Allen, but his combination of on base skills (11K/16BB this year) speed, aggressiveness on the bases and prime skills in center field beg your attention right behind Zimmer and Frazier as a potential cog in the outfield of the future.
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